ARIZONA REPUBLIC: Ray Whitney netted his 1,000th career point, and Mike Smith made 44 saves (21 in the first period), as the Phoenix Coyotes blanked the Anaheim Ducks 4-0, giving them sole possession (for now) of seventh in the Western Conference.

BND.COM: The St. Louis Blues fell 5-2 to the Columbus Blue Jackets, but clinched the Central Division title thanks to the Chicago Blackhawks defeating the Nashville Predators 5-4.

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: Brent Seabrook scored the game-winner in the aforementioned Blackhawks win over the Predators, as the ‘Hawks also clinched a post-season berth with the win.

MERCURYNEWS.COM: The San Jose Sharks gave their playoff hopes a boost with a 3-0 win over the Dallas Stars, lifting the Sharks into eighth overall with a one-point lead over the Stars.

STARTRIBUNE.COM: The Minnesota Wild played spoiler, downing the LA Kings 4-3 in a shootout, preventing the Kings from widening their lead in the very tight Pacific division race.

NJ.COM: David Clarkson scored his 30th goal of the season as the Devils clinched a playoff spot, blanking the Carolina Hurricanes 5-0.

BOSTON HERALD: The Bruins stayed six points up on the Ottawa Senators in the Northeast with a 6-3 victory over the NY Islanders.

The Buffalo Sabres and Washington Capitals results are noted in “Canadian Corner”.

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